Image communication apparatus capable of reproducing data from a data processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image communication apparatus converts image data received through a communication line into bit image data to be reproduced as a visible image by means of using a data converting unit and a reproducing unit. The apparatus converts data from a data processing apparatus into bit image data to be reproduced as a visible image by means of using the data converting unit and the reproducing unit, so as to accomplish an efficient system as a whole.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/852,731, filedon May 11, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,366, which is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 08/679,250, filed on Jul. 12, 1996, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,262,805, which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/165,502,filed on Dec. 13, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,768. The entiredisclosure of each prior application is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image communication apparatuscapable of reproducing data from a data processing apparatus.

2. Related Background Art

A printer controller or a printing system converts code data from a host(a computer, a personal computer etc.) into a bit map image, and causesa recorder (e.g. a page printer) to record the bit map image.

On the other hand, one conventional facsimile apparatus codes read imagedata, and transmits the coded data. The facsimile apparatus alsoconverts received coded data into a bit image by decoding it, and causesa recording unit (e.g. a page printer) to record the bit image.

In some offices, those printing system and facsimile apparatus asdescribed above are individually used. However, each such printingsystem and facsimile apparatus has a printing unit, and each printingunit is used for only a facsimile or for only a printing system.Therefore, in some offices which need both facsimile and printingfunctions, to individually own the facsimile apparatus and the printingsystem is not effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the foregoing, an object of the present invention isto provide an improvement in this type of image communication apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an imagecommunication apparatus capable of effectively reproducing image datareceived in data communication and data from a data processing terminal.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing an imageprocessing apparatus that comprises a reader, arranged to read an imageand to generate image data representing the image, a memory, arranged tostore the image data, and an output unit, arranged to output the imagedata. The apparatus is also provided with a connector, arranged toconnect the apparatus to an information processing terminal, and acontroller. The controller is arranged to control whether the image datafrom the reader is stored in the memory and then is outputted to theoutput unit without being transmitted to the information processingterminal connected by the connector or transferred to the informationprocessing terminal connected by the connector and then outputted to theoutput unit as a sequentially image output operation.

Still other objects of the present invention, and the advantagesthereof, will become fully apparent from the following description ofthe preferred embodiments to be taken in conjunction with the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image communicationapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a facsimile controlunit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of an I/F unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of a data converting unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of a printing unit.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the dataconverting unit in a printer mode.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the printing unitin the printer mode.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a receiving control.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a recording control of received imagedata.

FIGS. 10A–10E are views showing operations in each mode of a PC/FAXswitching process.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 together form a flow chart showing a controloperation of the data converting unit when the apparatus sends data froma host to a destination by facsimile transmission.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the facsimilecontrol unit in the facsimile transmission of data from the host.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a copy operation.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an operation of facsimile transmissionof read image data.

FIG. 16 through FIG. 19 together form a flow chart showing atransmitting/transferring operation of read image data under control ofthe host.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a transferring operation of receiveddata.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a transferring printing operation ofreceived data.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an output operation of character data.

FIG. 23 is a view showing an operation unit.

FIGS. 24( a)–(h) are views showing examples of display by a LCD.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a structure of a buffer control unit.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing an operation timing of the buffercontrol unit.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a structure of a modification of theimage data buffer in FIG. 3.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a structure of a selecting controlunit J37.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing an operation timing of the selectingcontrol unit.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing an operation of a command/responsecommunication in the data converting unit.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing an operation of the command/responsecommunication in the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 32 is a view showing connecting condition between the facsimilecontrol unit and the data converting unit.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a structure of a serial I/F forcommunicating commands and responses.

FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing an operation timing of the serial I/F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now the present invention will be clarified in detail by an embodimentthereof shown in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention.

A facsimile control unit 1-1 is provided for controlling a communicationoperation via a communication line, and for sending and receivingcommands and data to and from a data converting unit 1-3 through an I/F(Interface) unit 1-2. Further, the facsimile control unit 1-1 has avideo I/F to a printing unit 1-4, and directly controls a recordingoperation of the printing unit 1-4.

The I/F unit 1-2 is provided for managing commands and data communicatedbetween the facsimile control unit 1-1 and the data converting unit 1-3.

The data converting unit 1-3 is provided for communicating commands anddata with a data processing terminal 1-5. The data converting unit 1-3includes a video I/F to the printing unit 1-4, and controls a recordingoperation of the printing unit 1-4. Further, the data converting unit1-3 converts character data (code data) from the data processingterminal 1-5 into bit map image.

The printing unit 1-4 is provided for recording a bit map image (data tobe printed) from the data converting unit 1-3 on a recording material.

The data processing terminal 1-5 is a host computer (e.g. personalcomputer), and sends image data (e.g. data described by Page DescriptionLanguage (PDL)) to the data converting unit 1-3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the facsimile control unit 1-1 (FIG. 1).

A CPU 2-1 is provided for controlling the facsimile control unit 1-1.

A ROM 2-2 is provided for storing an operation program of the CPU 2-1.

A RAM 2-3 is used as a work area by the CPU 2-1.

A modem 2-4 is provided for modulating and demodulating communicationdata.

A NCU 2-5 is provided for controlling a connection of a communicationline.

An image processing unit 2-6 is provided for processing image data of anoriginal document read by a scanner 2-7.

An operation unit 2-8 is provided for inputting key commands by anoperator, and for displaying the condition of the facsimile system.

A line buffer 2-9 is provided for momentarily storing image data to becommunicated with the I/F unit 1-2.

An I/O port 2-10 is provided for managing the inputting of signals fromsensors (unshown) and outputting of signals to peripheral units.

A storage memory 2-11 is provided for storing image data.

A resolution converting unit 2-12 is provided for converting a pixeldensity of image data so as to equalize a pixel density of image data tobe processed by the facsimile control unit 1-1 with a pixel density ofimage data processed by the data converting unit 2-12.

A codec unit 2-13 is provided for coding image data and for decodingcode data (image data). The codec unit 2-13 includes a coding unit 2-13a for coding image data, a decoding unit 2-13 b for decoding code data(image data), and an internal line buffer 2-13 c for storing image data.

A video I/F 2-14 is provided for communicating image data with the dataconverting unit 1-3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the I/F unit 1-2 (FIG. 1).

In FIG. 3, numeral 3-1 denotes a register for storing a command, numeral3-2 denotes a register for responding to a command, numeral 3-3 denotesa register for display data, numeral 3-4-denotes a register for keydata, numeral 3-5 denotes a register for image data sent from the dataconverting unit 1-3 to the facsimile control unit 1-1, numeral 3-6denotes a register for image data sent from the facsimile control unit1-1 to the data converting unit 1-3, numeral 3-7 denotes a buffercontrol unit, numeral 3-8 denotes a bus A control unit, numeral 3-9denotes a selector, numeral 3-10 denotes a two-way buffer, numeral 3-11denotes a bus B control unit, numeral 3-12 denotes a selector, andnumeral 3-13 denotes a two-way buffer.

Each of registers 3-1 through 3-6 is structured with plural bits ofD-F/Fs (D-Flip Flop). The register 3-1 sends command data from the dataconverting unit 1-3 to the facsimile control unit 1-1. The register 3-2sends response data (corresponding to the command) from the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 to the data converting unit 1-3. The register 3-3 sendsdisplay data for the operation unit 2-8 from the data converting unit1-3 to the facsimile control unit 1-1. The register 3-4 sends key inputdata of the operation unit 2-8 from the facsimile control unit 1-1 tothe data converting unit 1-3. The register 3-5 sends image data from thedata converting unit 1-3 to the facsimile control unit 1-1 (down load ofimage data). The register 3-6 sends image data from the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 to the data converting unit 1-3 (up load of imagedata).

The buffer control unit 3-7 outputs a ready signal to inform a receivingside that it is able to read data whenever a transmitting side writesdata into one of the registers 3-1 through 3-6. Further, the buffercontrol unit 3-7 outputs an empty signal to inform the transmitting sidethat it is able to write new data whenever the receiving side readswritten data from one of the registers 3-1 through 3-6.

The bus A control unit 3-8 inputs a read signal, a write signal and apredetermined address signal from the facsimile control unit 1-1, andgenerates signals c, d and f to select a buffer to be accessed inaccordance with those input signals.

The selector 3-9 selects either command data from the register 3-1,display data from the register 3-3, image data from the-register 3-5 andstatus data of each of the buffers from the buffer control unit 3-7 etc.in accordance with an address input ADD-A sent from the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 via the bus-A control unit 3-8.

The two-way buffer 3-10 is connected to a data bus of the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1.

The bus B control unit 3-11 is connected to the data converting unit1-3, (FIG. 1), and operates as the bus A control unit 3-8.

The selector 3-12 selects either response data from the register 3-2,key data from the register 3-4, image data from the register 3-6 andstatus data of each of the buffers from the register 3-7 etc. inaccordance with an address input ADD-B sent from the data convertingunit 1-3 via the bus B control unit 3-11.

The two-way buffer 3-13 is connected to a data bus of the dataconverting unit 1-3.

A signal a is input data from the data bus of the facsimile control unit1-1. A signal b is output data to the data bus of the facsimile controlunit 1-1. A signal c is a select signal to control the selector 3-9,which is generated on the basis of the address input ADD-A and a buscontrol signal CNT-A. When the signal c is generated, the empty signalis output from the buffer control unit 3-7 to the facsimile control unit1-1.

A signal d is a write signal to select one of buffers 3-2, 3-4 and 3-6for a writing operation. When the signal d is generated, the readysignal is output from the buffer control unit 3-7 to the data convertingunit 1-3.

A signal e is status data (e.g. ready signals and empty signals of eachregisters) to be sent to the facsimile control unit 1-1.

A signal f is a control signal to control an output buffer of thetwo-way buffer 3-10.

A signal g is input data from the data bus of the data converting unit1-3. A signal h is output data to the data bus of the data convertingunit 1-3. A signal i is a select signal to control the selector 3-12,which is generated on the basis of the address input ADD-B and a buscontrol signal CNT-B. When the signal i is generated, the empty signalis output from the buffer control unit 3-7 to the data converting unit1-3.

A signal j is a write signal to select one of those registers 3-1, 3-3and 3-5 for a writing operation.

When the signal j is generated, the ready signal is output from thebuffer control unit 3-7 to the data converting unit 1-3.

A signal k is status data (e.g. ready signals and empty signals of eachregisters) to the data converting unit 1-3.

A signal l is a control signal to control an output buffer of thetwo-way buffer 3-13.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the data converting unit 1-3 (FIG. 1). Thedata converting unit 1-3 converts file data received from the host 1-5(data processing terminal) into image data (bit map image).

In FIG. 4, numeral 4-1 denotes a CPU to control an operation of the dataconverting unit 1-3. The CPU 4-1 performs an operation of convertingfile data into image data. Numeral 4-2 denotes an I/O port. Numeral 4-3denotes a ROM for storing font data of character data. Numeral 4-4denotes a ROM for storing an operation program of the CPU 4-1. Numeral4-5 denotes an I/F control unit (e.g. RS232C) to connect the dataconverting unit 1-3 to the host 1-5. Numeral 4-7 denotes a memory (e.g.DRAM, SRAM). Numeral 4-6 denotes a memory control unit to controlaccessing of the memory 4-7. Numeral 4-8 denotes a video I/F unit tocommunicate control data with the printing unit 1-4 (FIG. 1), to readimage data stored in the memory 4-7, and to control a serial transfer ofthe read image data.

FIG. 5. is a block diagram of the printing unit 1-4. The printing unit1-4 prints image data on a printing paper.

In FIG. 5, numeral 5-2 denotes a video I/F to communicate control datawith the data converting unit 1-3 and to receive image data transferredthereto serially. Numeral 5-1 denotes a CPU (e.g. a one-chipmicrocomputer that includes ROM, RAM and I/O etc.) to control a printingoperation in accordance with control data from the CPU 4-1 of the dataconverting unit 1-3.

Numeral 5-3 denotes a laser driver unit to control a LED and to generatea laser beam in accordance with a driving signal sent by the video I/F5-2.

A laser beam from the laser driver unit 5-3 is converted into a parallelbeam by a lens 5-4, and is supplied to a polygonal mirror 5-6 which isbeing rotated at a fixed speed by a scanner motor 5-6. The laser beamreflected by the polygonal mirror 5-6 is irradiated onto aphoto-sensitive drum 5-9 via a lens 5-7. When the polygonal mirror 5-6is rotated at the fixed speed, the laser beam scans the photo-sensitivedrum 5-9 at a fixed speed. A beam position detecting unit 5-8 detectseach scanning line of the laser beam, and generates a line synchronizingsignal.

A printing operation will be described as follows.

The photo-sensitive drum 5-9, which is being rotated, is charged by afirst charging roller 5-10, and is scanned by a laser beam. Thereby, anelectric image is made on the photo-sensitive drum 5-9. The electricimage on the drum 5-9 is developed by a developing unit 5-11 so as tomake a toner image on the drum 5-9. A transcribing charging roller 5-12charges a printing paper which is transferred by a paper supplyingcontrol unit 5-14, and the toner image on the drum 5-9 is transcribed tothe charged printing paper. The toner image transcribed on the printingpaper is fixed by a fixing unit 5-13.

The photo-sensitive drum 5-9, the first charging roller 5-10, thetranscribing charging roller 5-12, and the paper supplying control unit5-14 are driven by a main motor 5-15.

The apparatus according to this embodiment functions as a printer andfunctions as a facsimile apparatus.

In this embodiment, the operation as a printer will be described byusing FIG. 1 as follows.

File data is sent from the host 1-5 to the data converting unit 1-3, andis converted to image data (bit map image) by the data converting unit1-3.

The image data is sent from the data converting unit 1-3 to the printingunit 1-4. The printing unit 1-4 prints image data received from the dataconverting unit 1-3 on printing paper.

Next, data communication between the host 1-5 and the data convertingunit 1-3, and data communication between the data converting unit 1-3and the printing unit 1-4 will be described on the basis of FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 as follows.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the CPU 4-1 of thedata converting unit 1-3 when the apparatus is operated as a printer.

In a case where a data transferring request (i.e. a printing request) issent from the host 1-5 to the data converting unit 1-3 (6-1), the CPU4-1 sets a signal P-RDY to be off (6-2), and sends a printing request tothe printing unit 1-4 (6-3). The signal P-RDY is sent to the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1.

The CPU 4-1 checks whether the printing unit 1-4 is capable of printingor not, on the basis of a response from the printing unit 1-4 (6-4). Ifthe printing unit 1-4 is capable of printing, the CPU 4-1 informs thehost 1-5 it is able to accept the data transferring request. (6-5). Ifthe printing unit is not capable of printing, the CPU 4-1 informs thehost 1-5 it is unable to accept the data transferring request (6-6), andfinishes the data communication.

In a case where the host 1-5 receives the information that accepting thedata transferring request is possible, the CPU 4-1 performs a datatransferring operation between the host 1-5 and the data converting unit1-3 until a page of data is received (6-7, 6-8). When a page of data isreceived, the CPU 4-1 performs a process to convert received data intoimage data until the converting process for the page of data is finished(6-9, 6-10). When conversion of the page of data is finished, the CPU4-1 sends a data transferring request of the image data to the printingunit 1-4 (6-11). The CPU 4-1 checks whether the data transferringrequest is acceptable in the printing unit 1-4 or not (6-12), and sendsa data transferring request to the printing unit 1-4 until the datatransferring request is accepted by the printing unit 1-4. When the datatransferring request is accepted, the CPU 4-1 sends the image data asserial data to the printing unit 4-1 in accordance with a linesynchronizing signal from the printing unit 1-4 until the data sendingis finished (6-13, 6-14). When the data sending is finished, the CPU 4-1informs the host 1-5 that it has finished printing the page of data(6-15), and checks whether a data transferring request of a next page ofdata is sent from the host 1-5 or not (6-16). If the data transferringrequest of the next page is sent, the CPU 4-1 shifts to step 6-7 so asto receive the next page of data. If the data transferring request isnot sent in step 6-16, the CPU 4-1 informs the printing unit 1-4 offinishing sending image data (6-17), sets the signal P-RDY to be on,(6-18), and finishes the data converting operation and data sendingoperation.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the CPU 5-1 of theprinting unit 1-4 when the apparatus prints data from the host 1-5.

In a case where a printing request is sent from the data converting unit1-3 (7-1), the CPU 5-1 checks an internal condition of the printing unit1-4 (7-2). For example, the CPU 5-1 detects a temperature of the fixingunit 5-13, and checks whether the temperature is in a predeterminedrange. The CPU 5-1 discriminates whether or not it is able to printdata, on the basis of the result of checking the internal condition(7-3). If the CPU 5-1 discriminates that it is not able to print data,the CPU 5-1 informs the data converting unit 1-3 that it is unable toaccept the printing request (7-5). If the CPU 5-1 discriminates it isable to print data, the CPU 5-1 informs the data converting unit 1-3 itis able to accept the printing request (7-4), and waits to receive astart request of image data sending from the data converting unit 1-3(7-6). When the start request is sent from the data converting unit 1-3,the CPU 5-1 checks whether image data from the data converting unit 1-3is able to be accepted or not (7-7). If the image data is not able to beaccepted, the CPU 5-1 informs the data converting unit 1-3 that it isunable to accept the image data (7-9). If the image data is able to beaccepted, the CPU 5-1 drives the scanner motor 5-6 and the main motor5-15 so as to prepare a printing operation, and informs the dataconverting unit 1-3 that it is able to accept the image data (7-8). Whenthe image data (serial data) is received from the data converting unit1-3, the CPU 5-1 starts a printing operation, and performs the printingoperation until finishing printing a page of image data (7-10, 7-11).When the page of image data is finished, the CPU 5-1 stops the scannermotor 5-6 and the main motor 5-15 so as to finish the printingoperation, and informs the data converting unit 1-3 of finishing theprinting operation (7-12).

Next, a facsimile receiving operation will be described in accordancewith FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 as follows.

A receiving operation is performed by a receiving control of image dataand a recording control of received image data. The receiving control isperformed by the facsimile control unit 1-1, and the facsimile controlunit 1-1 stores received image data into the storage memory 2-11. In therecording control, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends received imagedata to the data converting unit 1-3 in sequence, and the dataconverting unit 1-3 controls the printing unit 1-4 so as to perform arecording operation. In the apparatus according to this embodiment, eachof the receiving control and the recording control are independentlyperformed by using the storage memory 2-11.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a receiving control operation of the CPU2-1 when the apparatus performs the receiving operation.

The CPU 2-1 checks whether a CI (a calling signal) is detected by theNCU 2-5 or not (S801). In a case where a CI is detected, the CPU 2-1causes the NCU 2-5 to hold the communication line, and sets a signalF-RDY of the I/O port 2-10 in the facsimile control unit 1-1, whichindicates that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is in use, to be “0”(S802). The CPU 2-1 requests a status of the printing unit 1-4 to thedata converting unit 1-3, and receives the status of the printing unit1-4 via the I/F unit 1-2 (S803). The CPU 2-1 checks whether the printingunit 1-4 is able to print received image data or not, in accordance withthe received status information which includes a use condition, errorcondition etc. in the printing unit 1-4 (S804). In this embodiment, theuse condition is discriminated on the basis of the signal R-RDYconnected between the data converting unit 1-3 and the I/O port 2-10 ofthe facsimile control unit 1-1, and status information which includesthe condition of the printing unit 1-4 and the condition of the dataconverting unit 1-3.

If the printing unit 1-4 is not able to print received image databecause the printing unit 1-4 is in use, or in an error condition (e.g.no recording paper), the CPU 2-1 discriminates whether memory receptionis possible or not, on the basis of an amount of available area in thestorage memory 2-11 (S805). If the amount is less than a predeterminedvalue, the CPU 2-1 performs a process to finish the receiving operation(S813). If memory reception or printing of the received image data ispossible, the CPU 2-1 starts a receiving control (S806). After startingthe receiving control, the CPU 2-1 sets a communication mode (e.g. animage size, pixel density, line density, a communication speed, a codingmethod etc.) (S807).

In the receiving control, image data from the communication line isreceived by the modem 2-4 through the NCU 2-5. The image data receivedby the modem 2-4 is data coded by a coding method set in step S807. TheCPU 2-1 causes the decoding unit 2-13 b of the codec 2-13 to decode thereceived image data in line units, and decoded line data is temporarilystored in the internal line buffer 2-13 c of the codec 2-13. The CPU 2-1causes the coding unit 2-13 a of the codec 2-13 to code line data storedin the internal line buffer 2-13 c by a predetermined coding method(S808). Further, the CPU 2-1 sequentially stores the line data coded bythe coding unit 2-13 a into the storage memory 2-11 (S809).

Next, the CPU 2-1 discriminates whether a page of image data has beenreceived or not (S810). If a page of image data has not been received,the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S808 so as to continue receiving the page ofimage data. If a page of image data has been received, the CPU 2-1checks an amount of available area in the storage memory 2-11 (S811). Ina case where the amount is less than the predetermined valued, the CPU2-1 performs the process to finish the receiving control (S813). On theother hand, in a case where the amount is not less than thepredetermined valued, the CPU 2-1 discriminates whether a next page ofimage data is received or not (S812). If a next page is received, theCPU 2-1 shifts to step S807. If a next page is not received, the CPU 2-1shifts to step S813. When the receiving control is finished in stepS813, the CPU 2-1 sets the signal F-RDY of the I/O port 2-10, whichindicates that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is in standby condition,to be “1”.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a recording control of received imagedata by the CPU 2-1. The CPU 2-1 checks whether received image data tobe printed has been stored in the storage memory 2-11 or not (S901). Ifreceived image data to be printed has been stored, the CPU 2-1 requestsstatus information of the printing unit 1-4 to the data converting unit1-3 so as to check the condition of the printing unit 1-4 (S902). TheCPU 2-1 receives status information of the printing unit 1-4 via the I/Funit 1-2. The status information includes information of the usecondition, error condition etc. The CPU 2-1 discriminates whether theprinting unit 1-4 is able to print the received image data, on the basisof the status information and the setting of a PC/FAX switching function(S903). The PC/FAX switching function is to control switching between aprinter mode (record data from the host 1-5) and a facsimile mode(record image data from the facsimile control unit 1-1) in accordancewith the predetermined mode set in the apparatus.

The PC/FAX switching function according to this embodiment has a PC/FAXautomatic switching mode (AUTO mode/PC priority mode/FAX priority mode)and a PC/FAX manual switching mode (PC mode/FAX mode). An operatorselects between those modes. Operations of each mode will be describedin accordance with FIG. 10 as follows.

1. PC/FAX Automatic Switching Mode (AUTO Mode).

In a case where a recording request from the facsimile control unit 1-1or the host 1-5 is generated, and where the printing unit 1-4 is in thestandby condition, the apparatus starts a printing control. If theprinting request is generated while the printing unit 1-4 is beingoperated, the apparatus automatically switches between the facsimilemode and the printer mode and performs the printing control afterfinishing the previous printing-control (FIG. 10( a)).

2. PC/FAX Automatic Switching Mode (FAX Priority Mode).

In a case where a printing request from the facsimile control unit 1-1is generated while the printing unit 1-4 is being operated in theprinter mode, the apparatus temporarily suspends the printing operationbetween a previous page and a next page in the printer mode,automatically shifts to the facsimile mode, and performs a printingcontrol of the facsimile mode. After finishing the printing control ofthe facsimile mode, the apparatus automatically shifts to the printermode, and restarts the suspended printing control of the printer mode.On the other hand, in a case where a printing request from the host 1-5is generated while the printing unit 1-4 is being operated in thefacsimile mode, the apparatus automatically shifts to the printer mode,and performs the printing control of the printer mode after finishingthe printing control of the facsimile mode (FIG. 10( b)).

3. PC/FAX Automatic Switching Mode (PC Priority Mode).

In a case where a printing request from the host 1-5 is generated whilethe printing unit 1-4 is being operated in the facsimile mode, theapparatus temporarily suspends the printing operation between a previouspage and a next page in the facsimile mode, automatically shifts to theprinter mode, and performs a printing control of the printer mode. Afterfinishing the printing control of the printer mode, the apparatusautomatically shifts to the facsimile mode, and restarts the suspendedprinting operation of the facsimile mode. On the other hand, in a casewhere a printing request from the facsimile control unit 1-1 isgenerated while the printing unit 1-4 is being operated in the printermode, the apparatus automatically shifts to the facsimile mode andperforms a printing control of the facsimile mode after finishing theprinting control of the printer mode (FIG. 10( c)).

4. PC/FAX Manual Switching Mode (FAX Mode).

In a case where a printing request from the facsimile control unit 1-1is generated, the apparatus performs a printing control of the facsimilemode. On the other hand, in a case where a printing request from thehost 1-5 is generated, the apparatus informs the host 1-5 that theprinting unit 1-4 is unable to print data in the printer mode (FIG. 10(d)).

5. PC/FAX Manual Switching Mode (PC Mode).

In a case where a printing request from the host 1-5 is generated, theapparatus performs a printing control of the printer mode. On the otherhand, in a case where a printing request from the facsimile control unit1-1 is generated, the apparatus informs the facsimile control unit 1-1that the printing unit 1-4 is unable to print data in the facsimilemode, and performs memory reception. (FIG. (e)).

In the following explanation, the PC/FAX automatic switching mode (AUTOmode) has been selected.

In a case where the printing unit 1-4 is not able to print data in stepS903, the CPU 2-1 checks for an error condition of the printing unit 1-4(S904). If the printing unit 1-4 is in an error condition (e.g. nopaper, or paper jam etc.), the CPU 2-1 sets a flag SR (SubstituteReception=memory reception) which indicates that memory reception isbeing performed (S917), and finishes the process of printing receivedimage data. If the printing unit 1-4 is not in an error condition, theCPU 2-1 determines that the printing unit 1-4 is being operated in theprinter mode, checks what mode has been set in the PC/FAX switchingcontrol, and discriminates whether the mode set in the PC/FAX switchingcontrol is to print image data received in facsimile reception or not(S905). If the mode is the PC mode in the PC/FAX manual switching mode,the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S917. If the set mode is to print thereceived image data, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S902 so as to wait forthe printing unit 1-4 to be the facsimile mode.

In a case where the printing unit 1-4 is able to print data in stepS903, the CPU 2-1 starts a printing control of image data received infacsimile reception (S906). The CPU 2-1 sets a recording mode of thereceived image data (S907). Setting a recording mode includes, forexample, setting a magnification/reduction ratio of the received imagedata and pixel density modification of the received image data inaccordance with a size and pixel density of the received image data,paper size and recording pixel density in the printing unit 1-4.

The CPU 2-1 causes the decoding unit 2-13 b to decode the image datastored in the storage memory 2-11 in line units (S908), and causes theresolution converting unit 2-12 to convert an image size and pixeldensity of the received image data on the basis of the recording modeset in step S907 (S909, S910). The CPU 2-1 checks whether the linebuffer 2-9 is empty or not (S911). When the line buffer 2-9 is empty,the CPU 2-1 stores a line of received image data into the line buffer2-9 (S912). The image data stored in the line buffer 2-9 is read out bythe data converting unit 1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2.

The CPU 2-1 checks whether a page of received image data has beentransferred to the line buffer 2-9 or not (S913). If a page of receivedimage data has not been transferred yet, the CPU 2-1 shifts to stepS908. If a page of received image data has been transferred, the CPU 2-1releases a memory area of the storage memory 2D11 corresponding to thepage read out from the storage memory 2-11 (S914), and checks whether anext page of received image data is stored in the storage memory 2-11 ornot (S915). If a next page is stored, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S902.If a next page is not stored, the CPU 2-1 performs an end process tofinish the recording control of received image data (S916).

Next, facsimile transmission of data from the host 1-5 will be describedas follows. The facsimile transmission is controlled by the host 1-5.

FIGS. 11 and 12 together form a flow chart showing a control operationof the CPU 4-1 in the data converting unit 1-3.

The data converting unit 1-3 communicates commands with the host 1-5 onthe basis of PDL (Page Description Language). When the data convertingunit 1-3 sends commands from the host 1-5 to the facsimile control unit1-1, the data converting unit 1-3 converts commands from the host 1-5into commands which are suitable to the facsimile control unit 1-1.

When the host 1-5 sends file data, which includes data (or image data)and information of telephone numbers of a destination, to the dataconverting unit 1-3, the host 1-5 sends a transmission request commandaccording to PDL to the data converting unit 1-3.

The CPU 4-1 receives a command from the host 1-5 (C0001), and checkswhether the received command is a transmission request command or not(C002). If Post Script (PS) is used as PDL, a bit map image stored inthe memory 4-7 might be sent to the facsimile control until 1-1.

If the received command is a transmission request command, the CPU 4-1checks whether the facsimile control unit is able to perform facsimiletransmission or not, on the basis of a status FAX-RDY from the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 (C003). If the facsimile control unit 1-1 is not ableto perform facsimile transmission (status NOT-RDY), the CPU 4-1 informsthe host 1-5 that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is not available(C007). If the facsimile control unit 1-1 is able to perform facsimiletransmission (status FAX-RDY), the CPU 4-1 sends a transmission requestto the facsimile control unit 1-1 (C004), and checks a response from thefacsimile control unit 1-1 (CO05). If the response is OK, the CPU 4-1informs the host 1-5 that facsimile transmission is possible (C006). TheCPU 4-1 receives information data (e.g. telephone number, destinationname, confidential communication, broadcast transmission, and relaytransmission etc.) and image data (PDL data) from the host 1-5 until apage of data is received (C008, C009). In the receiving operation instep C008, each factor of the information data are separately receivedin accordance with the RS (Request-Send) procedure. When a page of datahas been received, the CPU 4-1 converts the page of image data (PDLdata) into a bit map image (raw data for facsimile, 300 dpi) (C010,C011)). If the CPU 4-1 discriminates that the converting operation isfinished, the CPU 4-1 sends a transmission request command to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 (C012). The transmission request commandincludes the information data. If the CPU 4-1 receives a response fromthe facsimile control unit 1-1 that is OK (C013), the CPU 4-1 sendsattribute information of the page to the facsimile control unit 1-1(C014), and checks whether a response from the facsimile control unit1-1 is OK or not (C015 of FIG. 12). The attribute information of thepage indicates a size and pixel density of the page. If a response fromthe facsimile control unit 1-1 is OK in step C015, the CPU 4-1 sends thebit map image (raw image, 300 dpi) stored in the memory 4-7 to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 until a page of the bit map image is finished(C016, C017). Then, the facsimile control unit 1-1 receives the bit mapimage via the I/F unit 1-2, codes the bit map image so as to be codedata in line units by the coding unit 2-13 a, and stores the code datainto the storage memory 2-11.

If a page is finished in step C017, the CPU 4-1 informs the host 1-5that a page of image data has been transferred to the facsimile controlunit 1-1 (C018), and checks whether a next page is sent from the host1-5 or not (C019). If a next page is sent, the CPU 4-1 shifts to stepC006. If a next page is not sent, the CPU 4-1 sends a command, whichindicates that all pages have been finished, to the facsimile controlunit 1-1 (C020), and finishes the process.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a control operation of facsimiletransmission by the CPU 2-1 in the facsimile control unit 1-1.

When the facsimile control unit 1-1 receives the command, whichindicates that all pages have been sent, from the data converting unit1-3, the CPU 2-1 performs a calling operation in accordance with thedestination's telephone number sent from the host 1-5 through the dataconverting unit 1-3 (C021). The CPU 2-1 performs a transmission protocolvia the modem 2-4 (C022), checks the transmission mode (coding method,pixel density, size etc.) determined in the transmission protocol, anddiscriminates whether the image data to be sent has to be converted ornot (C023). For example in a case where the destination can only processdata of 200/400 dpi, and where the pixel density of the image data is300 dpi, the CPU 2-1 causes the resolution converting unit 2-12 toconvert the pixel density of the image data to be sent into 200 or 400dpi.

The CPU 2-1 causes the resolution converting unit 2-12 and the codecunit 2-13 to perform a data converting operation by coding method, pixeldensity, and size etc. (C024), sends to the modem 2-4 image data in lineunits (C025), and starts a transmission via the modem 2-4 (C026). TheCPU 2-1 discriminates whether the transmission is finished or not(C027),and when the transmission is finished, the CPU 2-1 informs thehost 1-5 that the facsimile transmission is finished via the dataconverting unit 1-3 (C028).

Next, a copy operation will be described as follows.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the CPU 2-1 ofthe facsimile control unit 1-1 in a copy operation.

When a copy operation is performed, an operator sets an originaldocument in the scanner unit 2-7, and inputs a copy instruction by keyoperation of the operation unit 2-8. The CPU 2-1 checks whether the copyinstruction is input or not (S1401), and when the copy instruction isinput, the CPU 2-1 checks whether the printing unit 1-4 is able to printdata or not (1402). If the printing unit 1-4 is able to print, the CPU2-1 causes a LCD of the operation unit 2-8 to display indicationinformation for the operator to enter a number of copies (S1493), startsa timer T1 (S1404), and checks whether information about a number ofcopies is entered or not before the timer T1 runs over (S1405, S1406).If information about a copy number is not entered before the time T1runs over, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S1401. If information about a copynumber is entered, the CPU 2-1 starts a reading operation. The CPU 2-1performs a reading process of a line of image date causes the coded unit2-13 to code image data processed by the image processing unit 2-6, andstores the code data into the storage memory 2-11 (S1407). The CPU 2-1discriminates whether a page of image data has been stored in thestorage memory 2-11 or not (S1408), and alternately performs theprocesses of step S1407 and step S1408 until a page of image data isstored in the storage memory 2-11. If a page of image data is stored,the CPU 2-1 sends a printing request to the data converting unit 1-3(S1409), and checks whether the printing unit 1-4 is able to print dataor not (S1410). If the printing unit 1-4 is able to print data, the CPU2-1 sends information data (e.g. pixel density, size, printing number)to the data converting unit 1-3 (S1411), and checks whether sendingimage data is possible or not (1412). If sending image data is possible,the CPU 2-1 reads the image data from the storage memory 2-11, causesthe decoding unit 2-13 b to decode the read image data, stores thedecoded image data into the line buffer 2-9, and sends the decoded imagedata through the I/F unit 1-2 to the data converting unit 1-3 (S1413).If converting the pixel density of the image data is necessary insending the image data, the CPU 2-1 causes the resolution convertingunit 2-12 to convert the pixel density of the image data stored in theline buffer 2-9, and sends the converted image data to the dataconverting unit 1-3. When a page of image data has been sent to the dataconverting unit 1-3, the CPU 2-1 informs the data converting unit 1-3that it has finished sending a page of image data (S1413). The dataconverting unit 1-3 causes the printing unit 1-4 to print the image datasent from the facsimile control unit 1-1. The CPU 2-1 of the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 checks whether the page has been printed or not(S1414). When printing of the page is finished, the CPU 2-1 checkswhether the page has been correctly printed or not (S1415). If the pagehas not been correctly printed, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S1411. If thepage has been correctly printed, the CPU 2-1 checks whether a next pageis printed or not (S1416). If a next page is printed, the CPU 2-1 shiftsto step S1407.

On the other hand, if the printing unit 1-4 is not able to print data instep S1410, the CPU 2-1 performs an error process (e.g. displaying anerror on the LCD) in step S1417.

In a case where a copy instruction is entered after storing all pages ofthe original documents, or in a case where the apparatus makes pluralcopies of the original documents in page order, the apparatus storesimage data corresponding to all pages of the original documents into thestorage memory 2-11, and after that, the apparatus prints the image datastored in the storage memory 2-11. For example, in a case where aprinting instruction is generated by setting the facsimile control unit1-1 or the host 1-5 after all pages are stored into the storage memory2-11, or in a case where printing data in the order of page number isinstructed and where an operator instructs the apparatus to print pluralpages of the documents, the CPU 2-1 stores image data corresponding toall pages into the storage memory 2-11. After that, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 and the data converting unit 1-3 cause the printingunit 1-4 to print the stored image data. But if the operator does notinstruct the apparatus to print plural pages, the apparatus determines apage to be printed, and does not perform a printing control in the orderof page number.

Next, facsimile transmission of read image data will be described asfollows.

The CPU 2-1 of the facsimile control unit 1-1 causes the scanner unit2-7 to read an original document in accordance with an instructionentered from the operation unit 2-8. The read image data is processed,converted, coded and sent to the line via the NCU 2-5 under control bythe CPU 2-1.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the CPU 2-1 infacsimile transmission of read image data.

The CPU 2-1 checks whether a document transmission request is entered ornot (15-1). If a document transmission request is entered, the CPU 2-1sets the signal F-RDY to be off (15-2), and detects whether a documenttransmission is possible or not (15-2 a). If a document transmission isnot possible, the CPU 2-1 performs an error message process (15-4). If adocument transmission is possible, the CPU 2-1 sets a documenttransmission mode in accordance with the document transmission request(15-3), causes the scanner unit 2-7 to read a line of image (15-5),causes the image processing unit 2-6 to convert the line image into aline of image data (15-6), causes the coding unit 2-13 a to code theline of image data by a predetermined coding method (15-7), stores thecode data into the storage memory 2-11 (15-8), and discriminates whetherthe document is finished or not (15-9). If the document is not finished,the CPU 2-1 shifts to step 15-5 so as to process a next line. If thedocument is finished, the CPU 2-1 performs a transmission control(15-10), and sets a transmission mode in accordance with a protocol inthe transmission control (15-11). The CPU 2-1 reads a line of image datafrom the storage memory 2-11, and causes the converting unit 2-12 toconvert the pixel density of the decoded line data so as to be a properpixel density for transmission, if this is necessary (15-13), causes thecoding unit 2-13 a to code the line data by a coding method decided inthe protocol (15-14), causes the modem 2-4 to modulate the code data(15-15), sends the modulated data to the line via the NCU 2-5 (15-16),and discriminates whether all lines have been sent or not (15-17). Ifall lines have not been sent, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step 15-12. If alllines have been sent, the CPU 2-1 performs an end procedure so as tofinish the transmission control (15-18), and sets the signal F-RDY to beon (15-19).

Next, an operation of transferring read image data to the host 1-5 undercontrol by the host 1-5 or facsimile transmission of read image dataunder control by the host 1-5 will be described as follows.

FIGS. 16 through 19 together form a flow chart showing an operation bythe data converting unit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1.

Command communication between the host 1-5 and the data converting unit1-3 is performed on the basis of PDL. In a case where the dataconverting unit 1-3 sends commands from the host 1-5 to the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1, the data converting unit 1-3 converts the commandsfrom the host 1-5 into commands for the facsimile control unit 1-1, andsends the converted commands to the facsimile control unit 1-1.

After confirming a document to be set in the scanner unit 2-7, the host1-5 sends a command to request reading of the document (to transfer readimage data to the host 1-5, or to transmit read image data to the line)to the data converting unit 1-3 (F001). The data converting unit 1-3checks whether this command is received from the host 1-5 or not (F002).If the command is received, the data converting unit 1-3 checks whetherthe scanner 2-7 of the facsimile control unit 1-1 is ready or not(F003). If the scanner 2-7 is ready, the data converting unit 1-3analyzes the reading request command, and discriminates whether thereading request command is to transfer read image data to the host 1-5(process 1) or to transmit read image data to the line (process 2)(F004). If the reading request command is to perform the first process,the data converting unit 1-3 sends a host storage command to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 (F005). On the other hand, if the readingrequest command is to perform the second process, the data convertingunit 1-3 sends a facsimile transmission command to the facsimile controlunit 1-1 (F006).

In a case where the status of the facsimile control unit 1-1 is notready when the data converting unit 1-3 sends the host storage command(F007), the data converting unit 1-3 informs the host 1-5 that thefacsimile control unit 1-1 is not able to read a document. On the otherhand, in a case where the status of the facsimile control unit 1-1 isready at that time (F007), the facsimile control unit 1-1 starts to readthe document by the scanner 2-7 (F008), codes the read image data by thecoding unit 2-13A (e.g. by the MR coding method), and stores the codedata into the storage memory 2-11 in line units (F009). The facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 checks whether reading of a page has been finished ornot (F0101). If reading of a page has been finished, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 informs the data converting unit 1-3 by statusinformation that image data of the page has been stored in the storagememory 2-11 (F011). The data converting unit 1-3 sends a data transfercommand to the facsimile control unit 1-1 in response to the statusinformation in step F011 (F012). In a case where the facsimile controlunit 1-1 accepts the data transfer command (F013), the facsimile controlunit 1-1 indicates a page attribute (e.g. size/dpi) to the dataconverting unit 1-3 (F014). If the page attribute is accepted by thedata converting unit 1-3 (F015), the facsimile control unit 1-1 startsto send the image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 to the dataconverting unit 1-3 (F016). If the image data has to be converted intosuitable data for the data converting unit 1-3, the facsimile controlunit 1-1 converts the image data into suitable data by the resolutionconverting unit 2-12, and sends the converted image data to the dataconverting unit 1-3 (F016). If sending of the image data is completed(F017), the image data is stored in the memory 4-7 by the dataconverting unit 1-3. Then, the-data converting unit 1-3 informs the host1-5 that the data converting unit 1-3 is able to send the image datafrom the facsimile control unit 1-1 to the host 1-5 (F018). If the host1-5 is ready (F019), the data converting unit 1-3 sends the image datastored in the memory 4-7 to the host 1-5 (F020). When the dataconverting unit 1-3 finishes sending the image data (F021), the dataconverting unit 1-3 checks whether a next page is in the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 or not (F022). If a next page is in the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1, the data converting unit 1-3 informs the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 that the data converting unit 1-3 is ready. Thefacsimile control unit 1-1 shifts to step F008 and reads a next page. Ifa next page is not in the facsimile control unit 1-1, the dataconverting unit 1-3 informs the host 1-5 of finishing transferring theread image data (F023).

On the other hand, in a case where the data converting unit 1-3 sendsthe facsimile transmission command, which includes information data(e.g. telephone number) to the facsimile control unit 1-1 in step F006,the data converting unit 1-3 checks the status of the facsimile controlunit 1-1 (F024). If the status is not ready, the data converting unit1-3 informs the host that the reading request command is not accepted.If the status is ready, the facsimile control unit 1-1 starts a readingoperation (F025), codes the read image data by the coding unit 2-13 a,and stores the code data into the storage memory 2-11 (F026). When thefacsimile control unit 1-1 detects that reading of a page has beenfinished (F027), the facsimile control unit 1-1 calls a destination inaccordance with the information data (telephone number) included in thefacsimile transmission command (F028). The facsimile control unit 1-1starts a transmission control (protocol) by using the modem 2-4 (F029),and checks whether it is necessary to convert the read image data ornot, on the basis of a response from the destination in the protocol(F030). If it is necessary to convert the read image data, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 converts the read image data (e.g. coding method, size,pixel density) into suitable image data to the destination (F031). Forexample, in a case where the pixel density (e.g. 300 dpi) of the readimage data is different from the pixel density (e.g. 200/400 dpi) of thedestination, the facsimile control unit 1-1 decodes the image datastored in the storage memory 2-11 by the decoding unit 2-13 b, convertsthe pixel density of the decoded image data by the resolution convertingunit 2-12, and codes the converted image data by the coding unit 2-13 a.The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends the image data to the destinationthrough the modem 2-4 and the NCU 2-5 (F032, F033) until all image datais sent (F034). If the facsimile transmission is finished (F034), thefacsimile control unit 1-1 informs the host 1-5 through the dataconverting unit 1-3 that the facsimile transmission has been finished(F035).

Next, an operation of transferring received image data or received datato the host 1-5 will be described as follows.

The facsimile control unit 1-1 receives image data, and store receivedimage data into the storage memory 2-11. The facsimile control unit 1-1decides whether to transfer the received image data to the host 1-5 orto cause the printing unit 1-4 to print the received imaged data, andsequentially sends the received image data to the data converting unit1-3.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a control operation of the CPU 2-1 ofthe facsimile control unit 1-1 in the operation of transferring thereceived image data to the host 1-5.

The CPU 2-1 performs a receiving control as in the control of FIG. 8(S2001), and sets an output destination of received image data (S2002).In this embodiment, an output destination of received image data is theprinting unit 1-4 or the host 1-5, and is decided in accordance with anoutput mode which is to switch recording and transferring on the basisof a sending station of the image data (a calling station). The outputmode has three kinds of conditions (1. a recording mode: output receivedimage data to the printing unit 1-4; 2. a transferring mode: outputreceived image data to the host 1-5; 3. a recording/transferring mode:output received data to the host 1-5 after outputting it to the printingunit 1-4).

Further, it is possible to switch recording or transferring inaccordance with a calling station. For example, image data from apredetermined calling station is output to the host 1-5, and image datafrom other calling stations is output to the printing unit 1-4.

The CPU 2-1 checks destination information (e.g. telephone number, name)included in a protocol signal from the destination (a calling station)(S2003), and discriminates whether the destination is a predetermineddestination or not (S2004). If the destination is the predetermineddestination, the CPU 2-1 sets an identifying receiving flag to be on(S2005). If the destination is not the predetermined destination, theCPU 2-1 sets the identifying receiving flag to be off.

The CPU 2-1 discriminates whether the output mode is the recording mode(or the recording/transferring mode) or not (S2006). If the output modeis the recording mode or the recording/transferring mode, the CPU 2-1sets a printing start flag to be on (S2007).

The CPU 2-1 discriminates whether the output mode is the transferringmode (or the recording/transferring mode) or not (S2008). If the outputmode is the transferring mode or the recording/transferring mode, theCPU 2-1 sets a transferring start flag to be on (S2009).

The CPU 2-1 performs a receiving control of a page, receives image data,causes the codec unit 2-13 to decode and code the received image data,and stores the received image data coded by a predetermined codingmethod into the storage memory 2-11 (S2010). After finishing receivingthe page of image data, the CPU 2-1 discriminates whether a next page isreceived or not (S2011). If a next page is received, the CPU 2-1 shiftsto step S2010 so as to receive a next page of image data. If a next pageis not received, the CPU 2-1 performs an end procedure so as to finishthe receiving control (S2012).

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a transferring/printing control of theCPU 2-1 of the facsimile control unit 1-1. This transferring/printingcontrol is performed by the CPU 2-1 after having received a page ofimage data.

The CPU 2-1 discriminates whether the output mode corresponding to theimage data stored in the storage memory 2-11 is the recording mode ornot, on the basis of the recording start flag (S2101). If the outputmode is not the receiving mode, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S2111. If theoutput mode is the. receiving mode, the CPU 2-1 requests the status ofthe printing unit 1-4 to the data converting unit 1-3, and checkswhether the printing unit 1-4 is able to print data or not (S2102). Ifthe printing unit 1-4 is not able to print data, the CPU 2-1 checkswhether the printing unit 1-4 is in an error condition (e.g. paper jam,no paper) (S2103). If the printing unit 1-4 is not in an errorcondition, the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S2102 so as to wait for theprinting unit 1-4 to be capable of printing. If the printing unit 1-4 isin an error condition, the CPU 2-1 sets a recording finishing flag to beoff, and shifts to step S211 (S2104).

On the other hand, if the printing unit 1-4 is able to print data instep S2102, the CPU 2-1 sends the received image data in line units tothe printing unit 1-4 through the data converting unit 1-3 (S2105), anddiscriminates whether printing of the page is finished or not (S2106).If printing of the page is not finished, the CPU 2-1 shifts to stepS2105 so as to continue to send the page of received image data. Ifprinting of the page is finished, the CPU 2-1 checks whether thetransferring start flag corresponding to the image data is on or off(S2107). If the transferring start flag is off, the CPU 2-1 releases thememory area of the storage memory 2-11 where the page is stored (S2108),and discriminates whether a next page has been stored in the storagememory 2-11 or not (S2109). If a next page has been stored, the CPU 2-1shifts to step S2102 so as to send the next page of image data to theprinting unit 1-4. If a next page has not been stored, the CPU 2-1 setsthe recording finishing flag to be on (S2110), and discriminates whetherthe transferring flag corresponding to the image data is on or off(S2111). If the transferring flag is off, the CPU 2-1 finishes theprinting/transferring control. If the transferring flag is on, the CPU2-1 sends a transferring start request to the host 1-5 through the dataconverting unit 1-3 (S2112), and discriminates whether a transferringstart command from the host 1-5 is received through the data convertingunit 1-3 or not before a predetermined time has elapsed from sending thetransferring start request (S2113, S2114). If the transferring startcommand is not received before the predetermined time has elapsed, theCPU 2-1 finishes the printing/transferring control. If the transferringstart command is received before the predetermined time has elapsed, theCPU 2-1 sends the page of image data in line units to the host 1-5through the data converting unit 1-3 and the I/F unit 1-2 (S2115), anddiscriminates whether transferring of the page is finished or not(S2116). If transferring of the page is finished, the CPU 2-1discriminates whether the recording finishing flag is off or not(S2117). If the recording finishing flag is off, the CPU 2-1 releasesthe memory area of the storage memory 2-11 where the page has beenstored (S2118), and discriminates whether a next page has been stored inthe storage memory 2-11 or not (S2119). If a next page has been stored,the CPU 2-1 shifts to step S2115 so as to transfer the next page ofimage data. If a next page has not been stored, the CPU 2-1 finishes theprinting/transferring control.

Next, an output operation of a report relating to facsimilecommunication will be described as follows.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an output operation of receivedcharacter data and an output operation of a report relating to facsimilecommunication. The character data is character code data (e.g. ASCIIcode), and is used in data communication (e.g. computer communication).

The report relating to facsimile communication is report informationwhich is edited on the basis of setting data and managing data stored inthe RAM 2-3 of the facsimile control unit 1-1. The report image data isgenerated by converting character code data into bit image data.

In this embodiment, the output operation of character data and thereport has three modes as follows.

1) Mode 1

The facsimile control unit 1-1 converts character code into a bit mapimage on the basis of font data stored in the ROM 2-2, stores the bitmap image into the line buffer 2-13 c of the codec unit 2-13, codes thebit map image by the codec unit 2-13 as received image data, and storescoded character image into the storage memory 2-11.

In a case where font data has 24 dots in a direction of sub-scanning,the facsimile control unit 1-1 performs a coding operation correspondinga row of character code data twenty four times, and performs a codingoperation for white lines between a row of character code and a next rowof character code. A printing operation is as same as the receivingcontrol and the printing control of received image data (FIG. 8, FIG. 9)mentioned above.

2) Mode 2

The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends the character code data stored inthe RAM 2-3 to the data converting unit 1-3, and the data convertingunit 1-3 converts the character code data into a bit map image by usingfont data of the data converting unit 1-3. The data converting unit 1-3adds control codes (commands) used in printing data from the host 1-5 tothe character code data so as to perform high quality printing incharacter size, font, row pitch and spaces etc. Further, in a case wherethe data converting unit 1-3 uses graphic commands, it is easy to make areport in which image data and character data are mixed as an errorreport etc.

3) Mode 3

The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends the character code data to the dataconverting unit 1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2, and the data convertingunit 1-3 sends the character code data to the host 1-5. In the mode 3,received character code data or a facsimile report is displayed on a CRTdisplay by the host 1-5. The host 1-5 might cause the apparatusaccording to the present embodiment to print the displayed characterdata or facsimile report.

In the output operation of received character code data, one of thethree modes described above is selected in accordance with a destination(a sending station, a calling station). In the output operation offacsimile report, one of the three modes described above is selected bysetting in the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the host 1-5.

The facsimile control until 1-1 discriminates whether data to be outputis character code data or image data (S2201). If data to be output isimage data, the facsimile control unit 1-1 finishes the output operation(S2216).

If data to be output is character code data, the facsimile control unit1-1 discriminates whether the character code data is received charactercode data or facsimile report data (S2202). If the character code datais received character code data, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends anoutput request of received data to the data converting unit 1-3 inaccordance with a mode of the output operation (S2203). If the charactercode data is facsimile report data, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sendsa request for setting the output mode to the host 1-5 through the dataconverting unit 1-3 so as to decide a mode of the output operation(S2204).

The facsimile control unit 1-1 checks the condition of the printing unit1-4 and the host 1-5, and discriminates whether outputting of thecharacter data is possible or not (S2205). If outputting -of thecharacter data is impossible, the facsimile control unit 1-1discriminates whether or not to stop the output control (S2206). In acase where the printing unit 1-4 is in an error condition, or in a casewhere the host 1-5 is not connected to this apparatus, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 stops the output control. If outputting of thecharacter data is possible, the facsimile control unit 1-1 selects oneof the modes 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with the setting condition in theapparatus and the setting condition in the host 1-5.

In a case where the mode 1 is selected in step S2207, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 converts the character code data into a bit map imageby font data stored in the ROM 2-2, codes the bit map image by the codecunit 2-13, and stores the code data of the bit map image into thestorage memory 2-11 (S2208). After finishing storing code data, thefacsimile control unit 1-1 performs a transferring operation of thestored data (S2209). In the transferring operation, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 decodes stored code data by the decoding unit 2-13 b,converts the pixel density of decoded data by the resolution convertingunit 2-12, stores the converted data into the line buffer 2-9, and sendsthe image data stored in the line buffer 2-9 to the data converting unit1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2. The data converting unit 1-3 causes theprinting unit 1-4 to print received image data (S2210).

In a case where the mode 2 is selected in step S2207, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 sends the character code data stored in the storagememory 2-11 to the data converting unit 1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2(S2211). The data converting unit 1-3 converts the character code datainto a bit map image by using font data stored in the ROM 4-3 (S2212).In the converting process, the data converting unit 1-3 adds controlcodes (commands) used in printing data from the host 1-5 to thecharacter code data so as to perform high quality printing. Afterfinishing the converting operation, the data converting unit 1-3 causesthe printing unit 1-4 to print the bit map image (S2213).

In a case where the mode 3 is selected in step S2207, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 sends the character code data to the data convertingunit 1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2 (S2214). The data converting unit 1-3sends received character code data to the host 1-5 (S2215). The host 1-5processes the character code-data in accordance with software.

After finishing the output operation, the apparatus performs an endprocess so as to return to a standby condition (S2216).

Next, an operation by the operation unit 2-8 of the facsimile controlunit 1-1 will be described as follows.

The operation unit 2-8 is used in an operation of the data convertingunit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1. Therefore, in a control ofthe operation unit 2-8, three control operations as follows areselectively performed.

Control 1: the facsimile control unit 1-1 occupies the operation unit2-8, and controls the operation unit 2-8.

Control 2: the data converting unit 1-3 occupies the operation unit 2-8,and controls the operation unit 2-8 through the I/F unit 1-2.

Control 3: the facsimile control unit 1-1 monitors the data convertingunit 1-3, and controls the operation unit 2-8 in accordance with theresult of monitoring the data converting unit 1-3.

FIG. 23 is a view showing an arrangement of keys, a LCD, and LEDs in theoperation unit 2-8. Numeral 23-1 denotes ten keys for entering telephonenumber and copy number etc. Numeral 23-2 denotes coded dial/redial/tonekeys for controlling coded dial, redial or switching tone and pulsedialing.

Numeral 23-3 denotes printer keys for setting modes in the dataconverting unit 1-3, and for controlling on-line/off-line etc.

Numeral 23-4 denotes stop/start/copy keys for stopping operations, andfor starting operations etc.

Numeral 23-5 denotes one-touch dialing keys.

Numeral 23-6 denotes a LCD for displaying information from the dataconverting unit 1-3 and the condition of the facsimile control unit 1-1etc.

Numeral 23-7 denotes LEDs for displaying the condition of the apparatusetc.

Numeral 23-7 b denotes mode keys for selecting modes.

The printer keys 23-3 are valid in the printer mode, and are invalid inother modes. But in the printer mode, only the printer keys 23-3 arevalid.

Mode switching keys 23-7 b are provided for selecting one of a facsimilemode, a printer mode and a scanner mode. A LED 23-7 a correspondingto-selected mode is turned on, and is cyclically changed in accordancewith a key enter. In the host/facsimile automatic switching operationdescribed above, a LED corresponding to a mode which the apparatus isperforming is turned on and off.

The printer keys 23-2 for the data converting unit 1-3 are valid onlywhen a LED of the printer mode is turned on. In a case where this LED isnot turned on, an input of the printer keys 23-2 is invalid.

The LCD 23-6 displays information by converting input data into data fordisplaying in accordance with predetermined character information. Theinput data is input by the facsimile control unit 1-1, or is sent fromthe data converting unit 1-3 through the I/F unit 1-2. The apparatusselects input data from the facsimile control unit 1-1 or input datafrom the data converting unit 1-3 in accordance with the condition ofLED 23-7 b and causes the LCD 23-6 to display the selected input data.

FIG. 24 is a view showing display examples by the LCD 23-6 and the LEDs23-7 b.

FIG. 24( a) shows the standby condition of the facsimile mode, when thedisplay information is edited by the facsimile control unit 1-1.

FIG. 24( b) shows the standby condition of the printer mode, when thedisplay information is edited by the data converting unit 1-3.

FIG. 24( c) shows the standby condition of the scanner mode, when thedisplay information is edited by the facsimile control unit 1-1.

FIG. 24( d) shows the display condition when the apparatus performs thedocument transmission in the facsimile mode.

FIG. 24( e) shows the display condition when the apparatus performs theprinting operation of data from the host 1-5 in the printer mode.

FIG. 24( f) shows the display condition when the apparatus performs thereading control in the scanner mode.

FIG. 24( g) shows the display condition when the apparatus performs theprinting control of data from the host 1-5 in the facsimile prioritymode of the PC/FAX automatic switching mode. In this case, the printerLED is turned on and off, and the facsimile control unit 1-1 monitorsthe data converting unit 1-3 and causes the LCD 23-6 to display suitableinformation. Further, in this case, the apparatus is the facsimile modein standby condition.

FIG. 24( h) shows the display condition when the facsimile control unit1-1 performs the receiving control in the host priority mode of thePC/FAX automatic switching mode. In this case, the facsimile LED isturned on and off, and the facsimile control units 1-1 causes the LCD23-6 to display suitable information. Further, in this case, theapparatus is in the printer mode.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a control operation when the dataconverting unit 1-3 sends commands.

The CPU 4-1 checks an empty signal so as to confirm that a buffer forsending a command is empty (J051). If the buffer is empty, the CPU 4-1checks a ready signal so as to confirm that a buffer for a response isempty (J052). In a case where the apparatus is a single task system,those two steps described above are unnecessary. However, in a casewhere the apparatus is a multi task system, those two steps arenecessary.

If the buffer for a response is empty, the CPU 4-1 stores a command inthe buffer for sending, sends the command (J053), and waits for responsedata to be stored in the buffer for a response (J054). If the responsedata is stored in the buffer for a response, the CPU 4-1 reads theresponse data from the buffer for a response (J055).

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing a control operation when the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 receives commands from the data converting unit 1-3.This flow is started by an interrupt process in response to the readysignal.

The CPU 2-1 receives a command from the data converting unit 1-3 (J061),and performs a process corresponding to the received command (J062). TheCPU 2-1 checks whether a buffer for response is empty or not (J063). Ifthe buffer for response is not empty, the CPU 2-1 sends an errorresponse to the data converting unit 1-3 (J065). If the buffer forresponse is empty, the CPU 2-1 sends response data corresponding to thecommand to the data converting unit 1-3 (J064).

(1) Command/Response

For the data converting unit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1 towork together, those two units have to communicate control commands andresponses thereto with each other.

In the command communication, the data converting unit 1-3 writes dataaccording to the predetermined format into the command buffer forsending, and the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends response datacorresponding to the command to the data converting unit 1-3 wheneverthe facsimile control unit 1-1 receives the command from the dataconverting unit 1-3.

(2) Key Input Data/Display Data Communication.

The operation unit 2/8 is managed by the facsimile control unit 1-1.But, in some cases, the operation unit 2-8 has to perform key input anddisplay which the data converting unit 1-3 needs. The keys in theoperation unit 2-8 are separated into keys for the facsimile controlunit 1-1 and keys for the data converting unit 1-3. The facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 sends key data to the data converting unit 1-3 when akey for the data converting unit 1-3 is entered.

On the other hand, the data converting unit 1-3 sends display data tothe facsimile control unit 1-1 through a buffer for display. Thefacsimile control unit 1-1 always stores the display data from the dataconverting unit into a virtual display buffer. The facsimile controlunit 1-1 has another virtual display buffer from the facsimile controlunit. 1-1, too. The facsimile control unit 1-1 selects one of thosevirtual display buffers in accordance with a display switching key,causing the LCD to display one of two display data. The key data bufferand the display data buffer are individually used.

(3) Image Data Communication

Image data communication between the facsimile control unit 1-1 and thedata converting unit 1-3 is performed in page units. In a control ofdata communication, the empty signal and the ready signal describedabove are used. If those signals are used as a request signal of DMA,the apparatus is able to perform data transferring at a high speed.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a structure of a generating circuitfor generating the ready signal and the empty signal in the buffercontrol unit 3-7 of FIG. 3. FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing anoperation timing of the generating circuit of FIG. 25.

An output Q of a D-flip-flop J11 is set to be “1” by a write signal WRto a register buffer. The output Q of the D-flip-flop J11 is sent to aD-flip-flop J12 in accordance with a clock CK, and an output Q of theD-flip-flop J12 is set to be “1” by the output Q of the D-flip-flop J11.Thereby, the D-flip-flop J11 is reset, and a JK-flip-flop J13 is set. Asignal RDY (the ready signal) becomes “1”, and a signal EMP (the emptysignal) becomes “0”. Next, when data is read from the register buffer,the edge of a read signal RD sets a D-flip-flop J15 to be “1”, and thenan output Q of a D-flip-flop J14 is set to be “1” in response to asampling of the clock CK. Thereby, the JK-flip-flop J13 is reset. Thesignal RDY becomes “0”, and the signal EMP becomes “1”.

As described above, the register for data communication between the dataconverting unit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1 was described.Those units communicate the following signals with each other by usingI/O ports of each units.

FIG. 32 is a view showing signals to be communicated between the controlunit 1-1 and the data converting unit 1-3.

A signal P-PW-RDY shows that a power is supplied to the data convertingunit 1-3, and that the system is being operated.

A signal P-RDY shows that the data converting unit 1-3 is in standbycondition, and that the data converting unit 1-3 is able to respond to arequest from the facsimile control unit 1-1.

A signal P-PAGE is set to be a plus value while the data converting unit1-3 is sending a page of image data to the facsimile control unit 1-1.The facsimile control unit 1-1 recognizes an end of the page bydetecting that the signal P-PAGE is changed to a minus value from theplus value.

A signal F-PW-RDY shows that a power is supplied to the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1, and that the system is being operated.

A signal F-RDY shows that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is in thestandby condition, and that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is able torespond to a request from the data converting unit 1-3.

A signal F-PAGE is set to be a plus value while the facsimilecontrol-unit 1-1 is sending a page of image data to the data convertingunit 1-3. The data converting unit 1-3 recognizes an end of the page bydetecting that the signal F-PAGE is changed to a minus value from theplus value.

A signal S-REQ is a request signal for causing the data converting unit1-3 to send a polling command to the facsimile control unit 1-1, whenthe facsimile control unit 1-1 has some trouble and informs the dataconverting unit 1-3 of that, or when the facsimile control unit 1-1requests some operation to the data converting unit 1-3 etc. The signalS-REQ is provided so that the facsimile control unit 1-1 is able torequire some operation of the data converting unit 1-3.

Next, modification in facsimile reception will be described as follows.

In the embodiment described above, the PC/FAX switching function isoperated in accordance with a predetermined mode. But for example, in acase where an available area of the storage memory 2-11 becomes lessthan the predetermined value in the facsimile reception, the apparatusmight be modified to perform the output control of received image dataregardless of the PC/FAX switching mode. While the facsimile controlunit 1-1 is performing a receiving control, the facsimile control unit1-1 checks an amount of available area of the storage memory 2-11. Ifthe amount of the available area becomes less than a predeterminedvalue, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sets an image output flag. In thatcase, the facsimile control unit 1-1 continues to perform the receivingcontrol. Usually, the apparatus performs a recording control of receivedimage data in accordance with the PC/FAX switching mode. But, in a casewhere the image output flag has been set in the receiving control, theapparatus performs a recording control of received image data inaccordance with the facsimile priority mode of the PC/FAX switching modeso as to prevent a communication error by a memory overflow of thestorage memory 2-11. Thereby, the apparatus starts the output control ofreceived image data early, and releases a memory area early so as toprevent the memory overflow of the storage memory 2-11.

The apparatus according to this embodiment might be modified to switchrecording sheet cassettes in accordance with the output mode (i.e. theoutput operation of image data received by the facsimile control unit1-1 and the output operation of data from the host 1-5). In this case,the printing unit 1-4 has plural recording sheet cassettes.

The apparatus presets recording sheet cassettes corresponding to eachdata to be printed. The recording sheet cassettes might be setseparately, and one recording sheet cassette might be set in two modes.By presetting cassettes, for example, the apparatus can print receivedimage data on recycled paper and print data from the host 1-5 onhigh-quality paper. Further, by using plural color papers, the apparatuscan print the received image data and the data from the host 1-5 ondifferent color papers. Further, since recording sheet cassettes forreceived image data are provided, a shift to memory image receptionbecause of no paper can be prevented.

The recording control of image data is started by a recording startrequest from the data converting unit to the printing unit 1-4. The dataconverting unit 1-3 determines an attribute of the image data to beprinted, and selects a recording sheet cassette corresponding to theattribute of the image data.

After selecting the cassette, the data converting unit 1-3 sends asetting command of the recording sheet cassette to the printing unit1-4. The printing unit 1-4 causes the paper supplying unit control 5-14to supply paper from the recording sheet cassette, and performs therecording control.

The apparatus might be modified to switch discharge units in paperdischarge unit 5-16 in accordance with the output mode of image data1-1, and data from the host 1-5. The paper discharge unit 5-16 hasplural discharge units for papers and so can function as a paper sorter.

The apparatus presets discharge units corresponding to each data to beprinted. Thereby it is easy to distinguish printed data. The recordingcontrol of image data is started by a recording request from the dataconverting unit 1-3 to the printing unit 1-4. The data converting unit1-3 determines an attribute of image data to be printed and informationof a sending station (a calling station) or an operator of the host 1-5.etc. and selects a discharge unit on the basis of the determination.After selecting the discharge unit, the data converting unit 1-3 sends asetting command for the discharge units to the printing unit 1-4. Theprinting unit 1-4 performs the recording control, and discharges aprinted paper to the discharge unit in accordance with the settingcommand from the data converting unit 1-3.

In the embodiment described above, the data converting unit 1-3 selectsdata to be printed because printing by the printing unit 1-4 isperformed through the data converting unit 1-3.

However, plural data routes might be provided for printing data. Forexample, while the host 1-5 is sending data to be printed to the dataconverting unit 1-3, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends image data tothe printing unit 1-4 through the video I/F 2-14 directly connected tothe printing unit 1-4, and the facsimile control unit 1-1 controls arecording operation of received image data.

In a case where the host 1-5 sends data to the data converting unit 1-3,the data converting unit 1-3 sets the signal P-RDY to be “0”. In thiscase, the data converting unit 1-3 does not accept a recording startrequest from the facsimile control unit 1-1 because the data convertingunit is being operated in response to the request from the host 1-5. Thedata from the host 1-5 to be printed is sequentially transferred to thedata converting unit 1-3, and is converted to a bit map image inaccordance with font data in the ROM 2-4. After receiving a page commandfrom the host 1-5, the data converting unit 1-3 starts a recordingcontrol of the printing unit 1-4. In a case where the facsimile controlunit 1-1 performs a recording control while the host 15 is sending datato the data converting unit 1-3, the facsimile control unit 1-1 checkswhether the printing unit 1-4 is being used or not. If the printing unit1-4 is not being used, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends image datato the printing unit 1-4 through the video I/F 2-4 and the video I/F 5-2directly, and starts a recording control. Thereby, a movable ratio ofthe printing unit 1-4 is improved. Further, by switching dischargeunits, the apparatus can perform time sharing printing with highefficiency.

In the PC/FAX automatic switching mode of the receiving controldescribed above, the apparatus performs the recording control by aninterrupt control in page units, and after finishing the interruptprocess, the apparatus restarts the suspended recording control.However, that process might be modified. For example, it might bemodified to suspend the recording control after accepting a request ofthe interrupt control in page units. Further, the timing of releasing amemory area, and the timing of starting the output operation of thereceived image data, might be modified.

Next, modification of the facsimile transmission of the data from thehost 1-5 under the control by the host 1-5 is described as follows.

In a case where the host 1-5 sends the information data (e.g. telephonenumber, name) to the facsimile control unit, the transmission might bemodified so that the host 1-5 sends the information data to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 through a RS interface directly without goingthrough the data converting unit 1-3.

In a case where the data from the host 1-5 is sent through the dataconverting unit 1-3 by the facsimile control unit 1-1, the dataconverting unit 1-3 might cause the printing unit 1-4 to print the datato be sent in parallel.

In the embodiment described above, the host 1-5 indicates each kind ofdata to be sent from the host to the data converting unit 1-3. But, thedata converting unit 1-3 might analyze data from the host 1-5, and mightselect either converting data into a bit map image and causing theprinting unit 1-4 to record it, converting data into a bit map image andcausing the facsimile control unit 1-1 to send it, or transferring data(the information data) to the facsimile control unit 1-1 withoutconverting it into a bit map image.

The data converting unit 1-3 might convert the format of the informationdata from the host 1-5 into a format as same as data input from theoperation unit 2-8 of the facsimile control unit 1-1.

The data converting unit 1-3 might cause the printing unit 1-4 to printthe image data to be sent with the information data (e.g. telephonenumber, destination, name).

Next, modifications of the copy operation will be described as follows.

In the embodiment described above, the facsimile control unit 1-1 readsa document, codes read image data, stores code data, decodes stored codedata, and sends decoded image data to the data converting unit 1-3 inpage units, and the data converting unit 1-3 causes the printing unit1-4 to print the image data in page units. But the copy operation mightbe performed in accordance with following processes.

(1) The facsimile control unit 1-1 performs reading and transferringcontrols in line units, and performs a process of storing the read imagedata into the storage memory 2-11 and a process of transferring thestored image data to the data converting unit 1-3 in parallel.

(2) The facsimile control unit 1-1 directly sends read image data to thedata converting unit 1-3 without coding and storing the read image data.

(3) The facsimile control unit 1-1 stores read image data (raw data)into the storage memory 2-11 without coding the read image data.

(4) The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends read image data to the dataconverting unit 1-3 without storing the read image data into the storagememory 2-11, and the data converting unit 1-3 or the host 1-5 stores theread image data into the memory.

(5) The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends code data to the dataconverting unit 1-3 or the host 1-5. Then the data converting unit 1-3or the host 1-5 converts the code data into a bit map image.

Further, in a case where the apparatus discriminates whether or not toperform a printing control in page order, and where the apparatus storesimage data, the apparatus might perform following processes.

(1) The host 1-5 stores all of the read image data instead of thefacsimile control unit 1-1.

(2) The facsimile control unit 1-1 stores read image data into thestorage memory 2-11 until a page number of read image data reaches apredetermined value and the host 1-5 stores pages of image datathereafter.

(3) The facsimile control unit 1-1 stores read image data into thestorage memory 2-11 until an amount of read image data reaches apredetermined value, and the host 1-5 stores image data thereafter.

(4) Usually, the apparatus stores a first page of the bit map image intothe memory 4-7. But, in a case where a printing control in page order isinstructed by the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the host 1-5, theapparatus stores all pages of the bit map image into the memory 4-7 inaccordance with an indicated method by the facsimile control unit 1-1 orthe host 1-5, and after that, when the document has plural pages, theapparatus performs the printing control in page order.

(5) The apparatus has a structure for detecting the number of pages inthe documents, and when the document is one page, the apparatus convertsread image data into a bit map image, and stores the bit map image intothe memory 4-7. On the other hand, when the document has plural pages,the apparatus stores the read image data into a memory in accordancewith one of the storage methods (1) through (3) mentioned above.

(6) In a case where a printing control in page order is set, and whereit is not sure whether the document is one page or not, the apparatusstores a first page into the memory 4-7. Then if a next page exists, theapparatus does not perform a printing operation of the image data in thememory 4-7, and continues the storage process in accordance with one ofthe storage methods (1) through (3) mentioned above.

(7) In the process (6) mentioned above, the apparatus performs theconverting process of the first page and the storage process inparallel.

Next, a process to be performed in response to a request from the host1-5 or a request of facsimile reception during the copy operation willbe described as follows.

The apparatus has a facsimile priority mode and a printer priority mode,and performs different processes in accordance with the set mode.

(A) Facsimile Priority Mode

In this mode, the data converting unit 1-3 does not accept a printingrequest from the host 1-5. In a case where the facsimile control unit1-1 receives a request for facsimile reception during the copyoperation, the apparatus suspends the copy operation after finishingprinting the page, and performs a receiving control and a recordingcontrol of received image data. If the apparatus is set to performmemory reception, the facsimile control unit 1-1 stores received imagedata into the storage memory 2-11. The apparatus might be modified toperform the copy operation and the memory reception in parallel.

(B) Printer Priority Mode

In this mode, the data converting unit 1-3 accepts a printing requestfrom the host 1-5. The apparatus suspends the copy operation afterfinishing printing the page in response to the printing request from thehost 1-5, and performs a printing process of data from the host 1-5.After finishing printing the data from the host 1-5, the apparatusrestarts the suspended copy operation. The apparatus performs facsimilereception during the copy operation as in the facsimile priority mode.

Further, the apparatus performs a copy operation in response to aninstruction from the host 1-5, too.

In the embodiment described above, the facsimile control unit 1-1 clearsthe image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 after finishingprinting the image data. But the facsimile control unit 1-1 might clearthe image data after finishing transferring the image data.

Next, modifications of the transferring/transmitting operation of readimage data under control of the host 1-5 will be described as follows.

In the transmitting operation, the host 1-5 might directly send theinformation data (e.g. telephone number, destination name) and functiondata (e.g. broadcasting transmission, confidential transmission) to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 via the RS interface without passing via thedata converting unit 1-3.

Further, in the transmitting operation, the data converting unit 1-3might analyze commands from the host 1-5, and send commands to thefacsimile control unit 1-1 in accordance with the analysis.

In the transmitting operation, the information data and the functiondata might be input by a reading operation of the scanner 2-7 of thefacsimile control unit 1-1 as image data.

In the transmitting operation of the read image data, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 might send the read image data to be transmitted to thedata converting unit 1-3, and the data converting until 1-3 might causethe printing unit 1-4 to print the read image data in parallel, or mightsend the read image data to the host 1-5.

In a case where the facsimile control unit 1-1 transmits the read imagedata in accordance with instructions from the host 1-5, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 checks whether a page number of read image data equalsa page number indicated by the host 1-5 or not, and informs the host 1-5of the result of checking.

Next, modifications of the transferring operation of the received datato the host 1-5 will be described as follows.

In a case where the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends the received datato the host 1-5 through the data converting unit 1-3, the host 1-5 mightperiodically monitor the receiving condition of the facsimile controlunit 1-1, and cause the facsimile control unit 1-1 to send the receiveddata to the host 1-5 by a polling process.

In the embodiment described above, the apparatus sets the output modecorresponding to the destination (the sending station, the callingstation) in the transferring operation of received data. But, theapparatus might set the output mode in accordance with a time or on-linecondition of the host 1-5.

Next, modifications of the output operation of facsimile report datawill be described as follows.

In the embodiment described above, the apparatus performs the outputcontrol in accordance with the set output mode. But, the apparatus mightbe modified to perform the output control of the facsimile report datain accordance with the request unit of the facsimile communication. Forexample, the apparatus discriminates whether the facsimile communicationwas performed in response to a request from the facsimile control unit1-1, the data converting unit 1-3 causes the printing unit 1-4 to printthe facsimile report data. In a case where the facsimile control unit1-1 communication was performed in response to a request from the host1-5, the data converting unit 1-3 sends the facsimile report data to thehost 1-5.

Further, the apparatus might be modified to automatically switch theoutput mode of the facsimile report data in accordance with a kind ofthe facsimile report data. For example, there are a communication resultreport which is composed of character data, and an error communicationreport which is composed of both character data and error image data asfacsimile report data.

If the data converting unit 1-3 edits the error communication report, itis complicated to edit the error communication report because the reportis composed of character data and image data. Therefore, the facsimilecontrol unit 1-1 converts the error communication report into imagedata, and sends the image data to the data converting unit 1-3. On theother hand, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sends the communicationresult report of character data to the converting unit 1-3 withoutconverting it into image data.

Next, a modification of the I/F unit 1-2 will be described as follows.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a structure of the modification ofthe I/F unit 1-2.

In FIG. 27, two line buffers J30 and J31, which are structured as shiftregisters, are used instead of the registers 3-5 and 3-6 forcommunicating image data. The data converting unit 1-3 accesses one ofthose line buffers J30 and J31, and the facsimile control unit 1-1accesses another line buffer. Then, the facsimile control unit 1-1 andthe data converting unit 1-3 alternately switch those line buffers J30and J31 each time a line of image data is communicated. Thereby, eachunit can access those line buffers J30 and J31 at a high speed.

Each of the line buffers J30 and J31 is structured as a serial-inserial-out shift register having a line of memory capacity. Numerals J32and J36 denote selectors having two inputs and an output. When a signals is “1”, each of selectors J32 and J36 outputs an input signal 1. Whenthe signal s is “0”, each of selectors J32 and J36 outputs an inputsignal 0.

Numerals J33 and J35 denote selectors having an input and two outputs.When a signal 9 is “1”, each of selectors J33 and J35 fixes an outputsignal 0 and outputs an input signal as an output signal 1. When thesignal s is “0”, each of selectors J33 and J35 outputs the input signalas the output signal 0, and fixes the output signal 1.

Number J34 denotes a selector having two inputs and two outputs whichare controlled by selecting signals so and s1. The selector J34 operatesas in table 1 following.

TABLE 1 s0 s1 output 00 output 01 0 0 input 10 input 11 0 1 input 11input 10 1 0 input 11 input 10 1 1 input 10 input 11

Numeral J37 denotes a selecting control unit for generating a selectingsignal SEL, and the selecting signal SEL is reversed in response to anend pulse END-A or END-B which indicates an end of processing a line ofimage data. FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a structure of theselecting control unit J37. FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing anoperation timing of the selecting control unit J37.

Numeral D OUT-A or B denotes serial image data to be input to theselecting control unit J37.

Numeral D IN-A or B denotes serial image data to be output from theselecting control unit J37.

Numeral CK-A or B denotes a clock signal for inputting and outputtingserial image data.

Numeral END-A or B denotes an end pulse indicating an end of processinga line.

Numeral STS-A or B denotes a monitor signal (the signal SEL) which ismonitored by the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the data converting unit1-3.

Numeral DIR-B denotes an input signal to decide a transferring directionof image data communication between the facsimile control unit 1-1 andthe data converting unit 1-3.

Line buffers 0 and 1 operate on the basis of the signal DIR-B and theselecting signal SEL as a table 2 following.

TABLE 2 DIR-B SEL line buffer 0 line buffer 1 0 0 input data from theoutput data to the unit 1-3 unit 1-1 0 1 output data to the unit inputdata from the 1-1 unit 1-3 1 0 input data from the output data from theunit 1-1 unit 1-3 1 1 output data to the unit input data from the 1-3unit 1-1

In FIG. 28, when the end pulse END-B from the data converting unit 1-3and the end pulse END-A from the facsimile control unit 1-1 are input tothe selecting control unit J37, a JK-flip-flop J43 reverses its output,and thereby the selecting signal SEL is reversed.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a structure of a modification of thecommunication register for communicating a command and a response. InFIG. 33, a command and a response are serially communicated, and each ofthe data converting unit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1 have aserial-parallel converter (S/P converter) and a parallel-serialconverter (P/S converter).

By the structure mentioned above, the structure connecting the dataconverting unit 1-3 and the facsimile control unit 1-1 becomes simple.

Numeral J91 denotes a P/S converter for converting a parallel commandinto a serial command.

Numeral J92 denotes a S/P converter for converting a received serialcommand into a parallel command.

Numeral J93 denotes a P/S converter for converting parallel responsedata into serial response data.

Numeral J94 denotes a S/P converter for converting received serialresponse data into parallel response data.

Numeral J95 denotes an I/F control unit of the data converting unit 1-3.

Numeral J96 denotes an I/F control unit of the facsimile control unit1-1.

Numeral CMD-TX denotes parallel command data to be sent.

Numeral CMD-WR denotes a writing signal to the P/S converter J91.

Numeral CMD-EMP denotes a signal showing condition of the P/S converterJ91.

Numeral ANS-WAIT denotes a signal showing that response data has notbeen received yet.

Numeral ANS-RDY denotes a signal showing that response data has beenreceived.

Numeral ANS-RD denotes a reading signal of received response data.

Numeral ANS-RX denotes response data converted to parallel data.

Numeral CMD denotes a signal of serial command data.

Numeral CMD-CK denotes a clock signal for serial command data.

Numeral ANS denotes a signal of serial response data.

Numeral ANS-CK denotes a clock signal for serial response data.

Numeral CMD-RX denotes command data converted to parallel data.

Numeral CMD-RDY denotes sa signal showing that a command has beenreceived.

Numeral ANS-EMP denotes a signal showing condition of the P/S converterJ93.

Numeral ANS-WR denotes a writing signal of response data to the P/Sconverter J93.

Numeral ANS-TX denotes parallel response data.

FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing an operation timing of FIG. 33.

T1: The signal CMD-EMP changes to “0” by writing command data into theP/S converter J91.

T2: Serial data is output to the line CMD in response to an edge of theclock CMD-CK from high level to low level. When outputting of all bitsis finished, the signal CMD-EMP returns to “1”, and the signal ANS-WAITbecomes “1”. On the other hand, the facsimile control unit 1-1 sets thesignal CMD-RDY to be “1” after finishing receiving a predetermined bitsof serial data by sampling.

T3: The signal CMD-RDY is returned to “0” by reading command dataconverted to parallel data by the signal CMD-RD.

T4: The signal ANS-EMP is changed to “0” by writing response data intothe P/S converter J93.

T5: The signal ANS and the clock ANS-CK are output as the timing T2described above. The signal ANS-EMP is returned to “1” by outputtingpredetermined bits. On the other hand, the data converting unit 1-3 setsthe signal ANS-RDY to be “1” in response to receiving the predeterminedbits, and the signal ANS-WAIT is returned to “0”.

T6: The signal ANS-RDY is returned to “0” by reading response dataconverted parallel data.

As described above, the apparatus completes communicating a command anda response to the command.

The key data register and the display data register of FIG. 3, also,might be modified so as to use the P/S converters and S/P converters.

Further, by supplying display data and/or key data to P/S converters J91and J93, the structure of FIG. 33 can be used in communicating pluralkinds of data.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention are hereindisclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof,after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled inthe art of which the invention pertains.

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a reader, arranged to readan image and to generate image data representing the image; a memory,arranged to store the image data from said reader; an output unit,arranged to output the image data; a connector, arranged to connect saidapparatus to an information processing terminal; and a controller,arranged to control whether the image data from said reader is storedsaid memory and then is output to said output unit without beingtransmitted to the information processing terminal connected by saidconnector or transferred to the information processing terminalconnected by said connector and then output to said output unit as asequentially image output operation.
 2. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein said output unit outputs the image data to a printer, andsaid controller controls the sequentially image output operation in acase where an instruction of a copy operation is supplied to saidapparatus.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidcontroller controls the sequentially image output operation inaccordance with a procedure of the copy operation.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said apparatussuch that the image data from said reader is transferred in a case wherethe image data is to be stored to said memory in more than apredetermined amount.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid controller controls such that the image data from said reader istransferred in a case where the image data is to be outputted as aplurality of sets by said output unit.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said controller controls such that the image data fromsaid reader is transferred in a case where an output order in which theimage data is to be outputted by said output unit is different from aninput order in which the image data has been inputted by said reader. 7.The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unitarranged to enter a manual instruction, wherein said controller controlsthe sequentially image output operation in accordance with the manualinstruction from said operation unit.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said controller controls the sequentially image outputoperation in accordance with an instruction from the informationprocessing terminal connected by said connector.